College Students are Facing a Mental Health Crisis—How Schools, Organizations are Stepping Up During Student Mental Health Week

by William Jones / ⠀Health & Fitness / February 25, 2025

One of the most significant battles that college students face isn’t a heavy reading load or never-ending homework – it is their mental health. College students are, at an alarming rate, struggling with mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, substance use, or other conditions that may ultimately impact their success. As mental health issues reach an all-time high across US college and university campuses, with roughly 60% of college students meeting the criteria for at least one mental health condition, schools and organizations have stepped up to offer support for college students battling mental health and emotional distress.

While the mental health crisis continues to grow, nonprofit groups and companies are stepping up to raise awareness and provide additional support for students. One such initiative is Chegg’s Global Student Mental Health Week, an annual campaign to break stigmas surrounding mental health. This year, Chegg’s campaign took place from February 24 to March 2, with its theme, “In It Together,” underscoring the importance of shared experiences and community.

Why the Rise?

While college is about getting an education that sets you on a pathway for a successful career, many factors that can impact one’s mental health are often overlooked. The rise in mental health conditions among college students can directly affect their academic performance, social engagement, future career prospects, and overall wellness. Prior to the onset of Student Mental Health Week, Chegg conducted its 2025 Global Student Survey, which showed that 56% of U.S. college students are not getting enough sleep, 48% experience daily anxiety, 46% suffer from academic burnout, and 41% have difficulty making new friends. As reflected in the survey, one of the primary players in the significant uptick in the prevalence of mental health across college and university campuses is academic pressure. The often stark shift between high school and college expectations can be a lot for students to process, with the need for more disciplined time-management techniques, maintaining high grades, and landing internships much more necessary for success during and after college. In addition to heavy academic pressures, students also face financial stress. The rising costs of tuition, mounting student loans, and limited opportunities for part-time work create a breeding environment for anxiety and worry. Add in social stress, imposter syndrome, and restricted access to mental health resources, and you’ll find that college students today are carrying more than just textbooks in their bags.

How Schools & Organizations Are Stepping Up

Given the scale of the mental health crisis across college campuses, most colleges and universities cannot effectively support all their students who are struggling. Often left scrambling for resources or trying to expand, institutions in higher education are rethinking how to approach helping students work through the challenges they may be facing. Chegg’s president and CEO, Nathan Schultz, emphasized the importance of institutions ramping up these efforts, stating, “‘The urgency to elevate global conversations about student mental health has never been greater. At Chegg, we believe that supporting student mental health isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s essential for empowering students to thrive academically, personally, and beyond the classroom.'” School leaders have started to think outside the box, embracing approaches like group therapy, peer counseling, and telehealth to address the concerning demand for mental health services for their students. Clemson University’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) program, for example, provides immediate access to mental health professionals, offering both in-person and telehealth services to students in distress. Similarly, Albany State University has enhanced its mental health support by partnering with META, a teletherapy platform that provides online mental health counseling services, allowing students to connect with counselors through chat, video, or voice via the META app at times that are convenient for them. Both universities have offered campus activations during Student Mental Health Week to raise awareness of these resources and to foster a sense of shared community and understanding. For this year’s Student Mental Health Week, Chegg partnered with other advocacy organizations, including Active Minds, Ayrton Senna Institute, Big Change, Born This Way Foundation, The Jed Foundation (JED), MABASTA, Nivishe Foundation, Our Minds Matter, PAVE, San Jose Earthquakes, and Young Invincibles. These organizations bring expertise in advocacy, mental health support, and youth engagement, helping to reach students who may otherwise struggle to find resources. Laura Horne, Chief Programming Officer at Active Minds, highlighted the importance of these collaborations, stating, “Global Student Mental Health Week serves as a powerful reminder that we are all in this together. By partnering with Chegg, we are amplifying the voices of students around the world and reinforcing the importance of collective care.” The importance of peer support was echoed by Ángela Elena Olazarán Laureano–winner of the 2024 Chegg.org Global Student Prize, who added, “I have seen the impact of peer support, and how important it is to work through problems together. I encourage students everywhere to join us in raising awareness of this crucial issue and having their voices heard.” While Chegg, other companies, nonprofits, and schools continue to work on supporting today’s college students, experts agree that this battle will require a multifaceted approach—one that combines institutional policies, government intervention, corporate initiatives, and student-driven advocacy to produce long-lasting change.